[A comparative evaluation of the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of recombinant vaccines against hepatitis B]

Controlled epidemiological studies were carried out to evaluate two recombinant vaccines against hepatitis B of Cuban and Belgian production by the parameters of reactogenicity, safety and antigenic activity. Two groups of adult subjects (n = 73 each) and two groups of children (n = 30 each) were selected among those free from hepatitis B markers carrier state. The adults were given both preparations in a dose of 20 micrograms at intervals of 0-1-4 months, and the children received 10 micrograms at 0-1-2 months. The comparative studies showed both vaccines to be poorly reactogenic, safe and inducing anti-Hns in 80-100% of triply vaccinated subjects in titres within 100-500 IU. No statistically significant differences in the examined parameters were found in the two preparations tested.